Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions
of students and parents.
- What is a Professional School Counselor?
- How do Professional School Counselors deliver their program?
- How do Professional School Counselors manage their program?
- How do Professional School Counselors measure the progress of their program?
- How does a student get in touch with a counselor?
- How does a parent get in touch with a counselor?
- What are the ethical standards of a counselor?
What is a Professional School Counselor?
"The professional school counselor is a certified/licensed
educator trained in school counseling with unique qualifications
and skills to address all students' academic, personal/social,
and career development needs."
Source: "The Role of the Professional School Counselor." American
School Counselor Association. Timberlake Publishing: 2005.
Alexandria, VA.
How do Professional School Counselors deliver their program?
Professional School Counselors deliver their program in the
following ways: counseling individuals and small groups,
conducting classroom guidance lessons, collaborating with school
staff and community agencies, supporting students with special
needs, and offering crisis intervention and prevention.
School Counselors also provide the following services for parents
andguardians: Parent Workshops (parent education and discussion
groups), referrals to community resources, and information about
situations that may be harmful to students.
How do Professional School Counselors manage their program?
Professional School Counselors manage the program through weekly
meetings with administration, and through regular collaboration
with the Counseling Advisory Committee. Additionally, counselors
work toward allotting 80% of their time in direct services to
students (individual and small group counseling) in accordance
with the ASCA National Model.
How do Professional School Counselors measure the progress of their program?
Professional School Counselors collect data on the effectiveness
of classroom guidance lessons, small group counseling sessions,
etc., and analyze this data to constantly improve the program.
This data is reported to the administration as well as the county
supervisor.
How does a student get in touch with a counselor?
Students may fill out a counselor's slip and place it in a
counselor's bag outside one of our offices. Teachers make
counseling slips readily available to students in their
classrooms. Students may also find counselor's slips located in
an envelope posted outside each counseling office.
Students may refer themselves to any counselor. They are not
restricted to either Ms. Henry or Mrs. Riley.
How does a parent get in touch with a counselor?
Parents can call the school at 571-261-2556 and ask for a
counselor. They may also send a note with their child, or they
may contact us by email. Please see the email section of this
website for further information.
What are the ethical standards of a counselor?
"The professional school counselor keeps information confidential
unless disclosure is required to prevent clear and imminent
danger to the student or others, or when legal requirements
demand that confidential information be revealed. Counselors
will consult with appropriate professionals when in doubt as to
the validity of an exception."
Source: "Ethical Standards for School Counselors." American
School Counselor Association.
Parents have the right to know what their child has discussed
with us in a counseling session. We encourage students to take
the initiative to talk to their parents about counseling
sessions. This keeps parents informed, but promotes rapport and
trust between the counselor and the student.
